The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-19

with which to carry on the war. Ishouldered
my political musket in 1872. and l have
been under arms ever since.
=, HE fusion campaign committee of 1872,
the registration and election of 1874 and
1876, the electoral battle of 1877. e1ecrl-
finally the duties of the Worlds Exposition
In l S83 and 1884 have Kept me necessarily
occupied when the gatherings OF the peo-
pie were held. vainly thought when
kadlc'liSm was oyerthrown and the victory
won. and prosperity began to dawn upon
LOUISIANA. once more tina. all of her sons
would unite in common effort to swiftly
place. the State in line with the most pro-
gresslve impulse 0? a country thrnbbing with
II new life. Alas! | was mistaken. [ am
asked and you are asked to stop the car OF
progress,
TO TURN BACK TEN YEARS.
aye, twenty-five years, to the gloom and sor-
the skies are brightening cities are build.
ing, the smoke of new furnaces curling to
the heavens the blaze of coking ovens turning
night into day. the harvests yielding new and
varied crops, new railroads piercing our fer
;lle lands; when all the South is marching on
TO wealth and victory In an Industrial revolll-
ton. which has amazed the world: when
Louisiana has just begun to lift up her head
and take her proper. place: when the emf
gran. from the sterile hills of New England
and from the bleak and cold praries of
the, Northwest is turning his footsteps
hltheT, to, land where he can toll twelve
months OF the year-we are invited to fly at
each others throats, instead of blending and
massIng the splendid army which achieved
our past victories and utilizing it to wheel
Louisiana 10 line with her sister States of
the South. We are asked to waste the glo-
rious opportunity OF the present in cam
palgn Of, bubbles: to turn phrases as to how
tins or that WAS done ten years ago, and to
divide onr PEG Die into two contending armies,
who shall go out to a battle OF extermina.
ton.
am reluctant to touch upon the history of
by-gone contests or wander over the political
battleteids of the past, nor would take sin.
gle laurel from the brow of Gen. Nichols or
any, OF his supporters, but the truth of history
and common fairness of dealing demand tina,
some Of the assertions made by himself and
his following should be commented upon and
corrected. For six weeks canvassing party
has been travelling over the State, setting up
men of straw and KNOCKING them down again,
They have gathered all the tea-table talk, all
the squlbs and queries of the press and flying
rumors of the day, presenting them to the
people OF Louisiana as solemn charges made
against their cheftain bv Gov McEnery and
his friends, and upon that foundation are con.
ducting;a campaign OF sentimentallty.
Gov. McEnery and his friends have no de.
sire to waste time in vain discussions touch.
history and Misrepresentation mag make il
necessary. His and their faces are set to the
future, and it is to be hoped that our oppo,
nents will soon come down to discussion OF
the
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS OF THE DAY.
Gov. Nichols complains of officehoIdera
supporting Gov. McEnery. yet he opened his
campaign, accompanied by former Office.
holders, Federal officials and repnted Office
seekers. He approved the campaign of East
Baton Rouge of 1876. In what respect did
i i j.. differ from the campaign in Tsnsas and
object was to unity and hold topether the
Democratic party OF Louisiana. 1t is sinsu-
lar coincidence that the language in his open
ing speech by the reform candidate for the
Goyernorship in 1887, is almost identically
the language used by Gov. Nichollsin sS4 in
the campaign for Mr.. Hunt, the reform ca n
didate for. Congress against the regular
nominee of the Democratic party, Col. Louis
81; Martin, an old swayback Democrat.
Hear his charges against the Democratic
party OF Louisiana:
Il scarcely recognize the working, active
Democratic party OF tie past. | have noticed
for several years past the growing dissatis-
faction with the party management and the
party administration OF affairs. 1 find that
there is a very general sentiment among the
officials is greatly below what the Democratic
rnasses had the right to expect; that talent
and ability 60 for nothing, honesty and faith
ful devoted party service go for nothing.
l find that many laws have been enacted the
passage OF which could have been prevented,
were evidently for the public good. Why.
my friends, some of the highest apostles of
the latter-day Democracy were at one time
bowling Radicals, and not so long either!'
Is it possible that this part Of his speech
was written in 1884, and was aimed of local
leaders in New Orleans, and associates
against whom he was then SO violently con-
tending, but who are now his warm allies?
Is it not possible that when that speech was
coi.,ed it WAS the warning note of q general
independent movement of the reform Democ-
rafy ag na the regular ro orgatnhzaopi
that campaign the General warned the
party that he would in the future lead the
people of all parties and all colors against
the ring, as he then styled the Democratic
organization.
When the plan of campaign changed and
the ring" broken, when Fitzpatrick was
washed clean OF his sins and had put on the
pure white robes of reform, when it was
determined by the immaculates to contest
within the party instead of without, it would
seem that
PRUDENCE AND COMMON DECENCY
would have dictated change of the plan of
assault, and that these bitter charges could
not have been leyeled against the Democratic
party as a whole.
1t is scarcely necessary for individuals to
defend the party from the aspersions which
tine recipient of its highest favor sought to
heap upon it. The party has spoken for itself
in no uncertain tone.
Look over the honored names of those who
sat in the last State convention. Trace back
in your memories the hard-foltght campai: MS
of 1879, 1874, 1876, 1873 and see ii You
do not recognize the brave leahers and SOL
diers of the battletields of the past, and hear
their answer to the Generals cruel indict-
men MI ouo,. .ho g.; =.
great difficulties redeemed the solemn
pledges it had made of reform in all the
branches of the government.
''Re$Oitpd, That we congratulate the good
people of Louisiana that through the we'll
defined and progressive policy of a Demo.
cratic Executive, the following results have
been achieved:
81. The prevalence of peaceful and con.
tented relations between the people OF all
classes and races, so that every citizen is now
protected in all his rights, and all are now
practically, as we'll as theoretically, equal be:
fore the law, through speedy and impartial
administration of justice.
'2. The progress achieved in this State in
all departments OF enterprise, labor and in
dustry under the benign influence OF an
economical and stable government.
%. The restoration Of the public c-edii
ing condition by reason of Systematic re-
trenchment jndicionsly introduced in all de.
partnents of the State government, and of an
honest and efficient hlsbandry OF public re
sources. followed by q material reduction OF
the burdens of taxation.
~. The rehabilitation of the public levees
within the limits of this State through the
energy and enterprise OF q Democratic adj.
minstration, acting npon the wise policy OF
trusting first to ourselves in this great emer
gency without awaiting the action Of the
general government, which will ultimately
be extended to foster such national interests
''Resolred That this record of the Dem.
ocratic party exhibits full redemption Of
its pledges to the people, that it establishes
i'll bold relief its aim and purpose to rear anC
foster government of law. and orders
government by the people. for the people,
and hence, that it is patriotism to preserve
it in its integrity and promote its perpetuity,
so that any attempt to disintegrate it de
serves to be frowned down by the goot
people OF the State.n
These resolutions were adopted by vot,
of 236 to 81.
1t was
THE VOICE OF THE PARTY,
~ l.